In addition, MinuteClinic and Henry Ford will collaborate on educating patients and helping them manage chronic diseases. Henry Ford physicians also will accept patients who need a level of care that is not provided at MinuteClinic.

Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation's largest health care systems, includes the 1,200-member Henry Ford Medical Group, six hospitals, the Health Alliance Plan, the Henry Ford Physician Network, 32 primary care centers and many other health-related entities throughout southeast Michigan.

"Henry Ford Health System has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of a diverse community of patients and shares MinuteClinic's mission to make access to high-quality health care services more accessible for area citizens," MinuteClinic president Andrew Sussman, who's also senior vice president and associate chief medical officer at CVS Caremark, said in a statement. "Our team of nurse practitioners looks forward to collaborating with Henry Ford's physicians to develop a clinical care network that meets the growing health care needs in the Detroit metro area."

MinuteClinic and Henry Ford also will be developing a plan to provide clinical data integration to streamline communication for each person's care. And with patient permission, MinuteClinic will share medical histories and visit summaries with other Henry Ford locations in Southeast Michigan.

"Through this collaboration, Henry Ford is increasing its capacity to serve patients in the community through hospitals, urgent and specialty care centers, and now walk-in medical clinics at CVS/pharmacy stores," stated Mark Kelley, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Henry Ford Health System and chief executive officer of the Henry Ford Medical Group. "We will be expanding our ability to provide appropriate care at the appropriate place.

"Henry Ford doctors will consult with the on-site practitioners as needed," Kelley added. "If people treated at a MinuteClinic do not have a primary care doctor for follow-up care, they will be given a list of local doctors, including Henry Ford physicians, from which to choose."

MinuteClinic reported that the affiliation won't create a financial relationship between MinuteClinic and the Henry Ford Health Systems. Medical directors will be paid for their services directly by MinuteClinic, the company said.